How to Keep Birds Out of Your Garden: 5 Humane Methods

The decision whether or not to repel birds from your garden hinges on whether they’re causing a problem in the first place. Unlike snails, slugs, and other garden pests, many birds won’t harm your vegetable garden and may even help it—for example, blackbirds can help pollinate your flowers and bluebirds can eat insects that might otherwise harm your plants.

Determining whether or not you have a bird problem is up to your tolerance level for a host of factors—avian visitors pecking nibbles out of your fruit trees, veggies, and other food sources; bird nests or roosting sites popping up in various locations; woodpeckers, gulls, or starlings waking you up in the morning; messy bird droppings; and others. If the birds are being a nuisance to you, bird control can be humane and swift.

To keep birds out of your garden, first eliminate things that attract the birds, then add, if necessary, things that will repel them. Dispose of any bird feeders, bird seed dispensers, bird baths, or other removable water features. Additionally, remove or cover any fence posts, eaves, or window sills that might invite birds to perch or roost. Beyond those actions, here are five methods for keeping small and larger birds out of your yard:

1. 1. Reflective surfaces: Shiny objects scare birds, so any reflective surface can serve as a line of defense. You can use garden spinners and scare tape, items specifically made for this purpose, or you can also repurpose a variety of household items for a more DIY approach. You can hang up old CDs, pie tins, shiny ribbons of aluminum foil, reflective tape, mylar balloons, pinwheels, and party streamers to get the job done.
2. 2. Noise: Sudden or unpredictable noises will send wild birds looking for a less threatening environment. There are electronic, ultrasonic sound generators made to scare birds away that don’t even register to the human ear. Wind chimes can come in handy for this type of pest control, too.
3. 3. Predator decoys: If birds think there’s a predator nearby, they’re unlikely to stay for very long, so installing fake versions of these threatening animals can help keep birds away. Rubber snakes on the ground combined with a fake owl decoy perched higher in your garden can present a two-pronged offensive against unwanted invaders.
4. 4. Wire: A hefty supply of bird netting can make it possible for birds to frequent your garden without permitting them to feast on your plants. Bird netting, such as those made of chicken wire or fishing line, will render it impossible for the birds to affect any of the protected plant life.
5. 5. Bird repellent sprays: Certain repellent sprays will make birds loath to invade your garden and can effectively combat any bird problem that comes your way; however, some of the scents can be as repellent to humans as they are to birds. Keep in mind that any bird deterrent strategy you pursue shouldn’t infringe on other gardening tips that will keep your yard healthy—in other words, avoid using repellent devices or sprays that may harm other elements of your garden.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.